ARCA is an online K-12 public school that started in 2016.
The school has a designated “social time” where the student can interact with each other over Zoom. Ramos took advantage of the time to share his faith; however, the teacher muted him once the word “eternity” was mentioned. Soon after, she kicked Ramos out when he continued to talk, after which the whole Zoom meeting was shut down.
The school has now invited Zion Ramos back to share his faith after receiving a demand letter from the First Liberty Institute.
In a press release from First Liberty, the law firm stated that Ramos was unjustly kicked off because, as per the rules, students are allowed to share whatever they want as long as it's not violent or vulgar.
Even Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders is getting involved as she instructed that an investigation be opened by the Arkansas Department of Education.
Kayla Toney, an attorney from First Liberty, says Zion Ramos is looking forward to sharing his faith on a future "social time." She talks about why the school has changed their mind.
"I believe they were concerned about the governor's involvement because she directed an investigation into their school because of the letter that we sent about Zion," states Toney.
Toney says the school has also agreed to have all faculty go through religious liberty training. This was one of the requests that First Liberty sent in their letter, and the training will be carried out through the RESPECT program.
"We've asked all of the school officials to go through it together. So, that's my understanding that they will complete the training, and it's very simple. It only takes about 30 minutes, and it really just explains the US Department of Education's guidelines about constitutionally protected prayer and religious expression," says Toney.
